Juwan Thompson went undrafted and signed with the Broncos for $3,500. The minimal investment explains the urgency to capitalize on every chance.

Thompson's arrived Thursday with 6:41 remaining in the second quarter of the Broncos' exhibition game with the Seattle Seahawks. From the shotgun, quarterback Brock Osweiler handed to Thompson, who motored around right end for 18 yards.

"It took a long time for me to get into the game," said Thompson, his debut delayed by the 45-minute lightning stoppage. "Just like coach says, 'You've got to be ready to go. There's only one opportunity to play in the NFL.'^"

Free agents need statistics.

In the third quarter, with C.J. Anderson sidelined, Thompson rambled down the left sideline for 20 yards before the Seahawks' Tharold Simon slammed him head first to the ground. After clearing a concussion evaluation, Thompson returned, finishing his debut with team-high 59 yards on six carries.

The guy you've never heard of is helping the Broncos resist the temptation to add a big name such as Felix Jones or Michael Bush to an injury-ravaged, inexperienced running back corps. With Anderson's status uncertain (concussion) for the Aug. 17 game at San Francisco and Montee Ball (appendectomy) out until at least the third preseason game, Thompson becomes an interesting option in the roster roulette.

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"We have got numbers there — kids that have been with us and done a good job," coach John Fox said when asked if he was concerned about the depth at the running back. "Ronnie (Hillman) got more opportunities. Montee is doing great, and he'll be back shortly. And Thompson played well."

That Thompson turned up in Denver can be traced to his college. Duke is not a football factory, but serves as a retreat for Peyton Manning. Manning meets with his top receivers in Durham each spring, while going over basics with Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe, who has worked with Manning since his days at Tennessee. With his eligibility expired, Thompson, an All-ACC academic team member, was free to practice with the NFL's reigning MVP.

"I was able to see those guys, and hear some of their terminology," Thompson said. "They gave me a good feeling about the team this year."

Thompson brings a puncher's chance of making the roster because he's built like a boxer, a sculpted 5-foot-11, 225 pounds. He is equipped for short-yardage plays, where he first started making noise in training camp during goal-line drills. And his tires feature plenty of tread. He was part of a four-man rotation at Duke.

"He finishes runs extremely well," Cutcliffe said on Friday. "With backs (in general), you're not seeing as many longer runs. The game has changed a little bit. You need people who can turn a 3-yard run into a 6-yard run, you know? And that's what Juwan did really, really well for us. He has speed, a lot better than people think he has, but he's a powerful person too. I was really surprised someone didn't think about drafting him. I think Juwan was a little bit of a diamond in the rough."

Free agents need fits.

Thompson relishes special teams — he played on kick and punt units even as a senior at Duke — and, if he looks comfortable in the Broncos' offense, it's because he is.

Broncos' backs must serve as bodyguards for the quarterback, a selfless, yet critical task. Thompson shelved his ego long ago, serving as a linebacker last season in a series against Virginia Tech.

"I grew up in pass-oriented offenses. I like it. I like to protect the quarterback," Thompson said. "I started at running back, was heavy on special teams and played some defense. I tried to do whatever I could to help the team. I feel like I can do a little bit of everything. I know I have things to correct, and that I have to take advantage of every opportunity I get."

Not all kids who play baseball are uniformed with fancy script across their chests, traveling to $1,000 instructional camps and drilled how to properly hit the cut-off man. Some kids just play to play.